Tallinn is about 800 years old. Like any city with such a long history, Tallinn is a kaleidoscope of places with different historical backgrounds. Without a doubt, the beauty and pride of the city is the medieval Old Town, but the Kadriorg area is no less attractive – evidence of the Russian period of Estonian rule. Other areas of Tallinn are ideal for those who want to see the seaside areas, get acquainted with modern architecture or just enjoy the great outdoors.
Old Town
In 1997, the historical part of Tallinn – the Old Town – was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Of particular importance to the Old Town of Tallinn is, first of all, its unique medieval architecture and the unique spirit of antiquity, which other capitals of Northern Europe have largely lost.
In Tallinn, as one of the best-preserved cities of medieval Europe, the network of streets and site boundaries that formed between the 11th and 15th centuries remained practically unchanged.
Thanks to powerful defensive fortifications, the Old City was able to protect itself from significant damage during the attacks of enemy troops. And the stone houses, which were mainly built here, withstood the fires of fires. They bypassed the Old Town and new massive buildings, which, in turn, also contributed to the preservation of its architectural value.
To date, all the most important administrative and sacred buildings of the Old City have been preserved in their original medieval form, and many residential buildings, barns, and warehouses that once belonged to noble citizens and merchants have survived the centuries.
The beginning of the 15th – the middle of the 16th century was the golden age of ancient Tallinn: the city was a member of the Hanseatic League and played an important role in the Baltic Sea region. The economic recovery of those times contributed not only to a thorough strengthening of the city’s borders, but also created all the prerequisites for active creativity – the creation of architectural and artistic values.
Kadriorg The
formation and formation of the seaside district of Kadriorg took place under the influence of the traditions of the Russian royal court and the local nobility. The representative architecture of the historical wooden buildings of Kadriorg, which have survived to this day, testifies to the wealth of this part of the city.
A walk along the streets of Kadriorg takes us to a kind of architectural museum, where centuries and styles are intertwined. Luxurious villas, summer estates and functionalist residential buildings with chic apartments coexist perfectly next to typical Estonian, inexpensive wooden tenement houses.
According to bridgat, Kadriorg is still one of the most prestigious districts of Tallinn. Here is the residence of the President of the Estonian Republic, many embassies.
And Kadriorg Park has always been popular among Tallinners as a great place for family leisure.
Kadriorg is best known for its baroque palace and park ensemble.
Pirita
Part of the city of Pirita, located about 5 km northeast of the city center, is best known for the majestic ruins of the monastery of the Virgin Mary of the Order of St. Birgitta.
At the beginning of the 20th century, this seaside part of the city began to gain importance as a place for country walks and swimming.
Today, Pirita, with its beautiful sandy beach and park-like pine forests, as well as a picturesque river valley, has become a favorite place for recreation for most Tallinners, including beach and active recreation.
Along the banks of the Pirita River lie the possessions of the Tallinn Botanical Garden. Next to the botanical garden is the Tallinn TV Tower, from the observation deck of which, located at a height of 170 m, you can admire the amazing panorama of the city and its environs.
History buffs and thrill-seekers are advised to take a stroll through the original and picturesque Forest Cemetery, where famous Estonian political, sports and cultural figures are buried.
Nõmme
On the southwestern outskirts of Tallinn, away from the noise of the metropolis, Nõmme is a quiet green island that has the atmosphere of a small provincial town with wooden architecture of the 1920s and 1930s. It has its own historical center, market, cafes and bars, and even its own castle, not to mention other attractions.
Nõmme really seems like a small village, separated from the rest of the city, and there is a reason for this – before joining Tallinn in 1940, Nõmme was an independent city. The district owes its existence to Nikolai von Glen (1841-1923), a Baltic German landowner.
At the same time, it is the city of Nõmme, and now the district of Tallinn, that is the part of the capital where this non-standard, sometimes eccentric, but very bright person is most often remembered.
Kalamaja
Fans of architecture, history and bohemia should definitely visit Kalamaja. This quiet area behind the Baltic Station is known for its wooden buildings. And recently, a bohemian atmosphere has reigned here: it is in this area that creative youth prefer to live and work.
For a long time, the region of Kalamaja has been a fishing center. Translated from Estonian, “Kalamaja” means “Fish House”, since the 14th century, fishermen, fishmongers and boat masters have lived in this area. Everything changed in 1870, when a railway connection appeared between Tallinn and St. Petersburg. Factories began to be built in this part of the city, which caused an influx of labor.
To accommodate thousands of workers, they became the architectural heritage of the area and today give the area its own unique charm. The most unique of them are the so-called. “Tallinn houses” built in the 1920s and 30s. Each of these two- or three-story buildings has two symmetrical wooden wings separated in the center by a stone stairwell.
